A derelict estate in Epsom will be demolished to make way for 30 affordable homes six years after its restoration was first discussed and without the doctor’s surgery councillors had hoped would be created.
From July 2014: Second Surrey GP surgery in Epsom in danger after "unacceptable" NHS delays
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s planning committee last week voted unanimously in favour of plans for new affordable housing in Hollymoor Lane, Epsom, that could house more than 75 people.
The site was first earmarked for redevelopment in 2010 and previous plans had included provision for a doctor’s surgery, but waiting for NHS funding that ultimately was not forthcoming and for applications from appropriate agents delayed council decisions on the site.
From January 2015: Redevelopment plans get going for one of the borough's most deprived areas
From March 2015: New-look Hollymoor Lane revealed by developers behind £6m plans for Longmead
Approval now means building can begin on renovating the vacant estate with 21 two-bed flats, three three-bed houses, four four-bed houses, two five-bed houses and a new retail convenience store to replace Epsom Stores.
From February 2016: Plans submitted for 30 affordable homes in Epsom, but meeting housing need in borough might become "increasingly harder"
Labour councillor Vince Romagnuolo of Court ward, (pictured below with Labour party activists and councillors) in which the Hollymoor Lane site is located, celebrated the application being passed.
He said: “This has been a long time coming. The scheme has been on the books for some time, but unfortunately that fell by the wayside.
“The area is quite derelict and not just from the past decade, but from even before that.
“So I’m delighted that it has got this far.”
Residents' Association councillor Jan Mason said: “I think this is something that the estate will value. It is not going to be a blight on the estate anymore.”
There are currently about 150 families currently designated as “homeless” or “at risk” of homelessness within the borough.
But the 77 beds of the Hollymoor Lane development is to be just the start of the fight against homelessness in the borough, according to the council.
From July 2015: Why is the number of affordable homes built in Epsom and Ewell falling?
Chairman of the RA group, councillor Neil Dallen (pictured below, at the Hollymoor Lane site with fellow RA councillor Jean Steer) said: “We have been trying to get something done for some years now, and I think we have had a good result.
“There is a demand for affordable housing that we will probably never meet, but we will do our best.
“We have a lot of good things going on, and hopefully during the next 12 months we will reap the benefits.”
A council spokesman said: “In the past six years the borough council with its partners, have been responsible for more than 80 new affordable homes per annum.
“Over the next three years we anticipate delivering almost 120 new affordable homes each year.”
Approval for a housing development which would provide 77 beds on the Hollymoor Lane site was approved at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, March 10.
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